THE AOBA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (AEF), A 501(C)(3) NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION, WAS CREATED TO ADDRESS THE TALENT CRISIS IN THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY BY FOCUSING ON THE CRITICAL NEED TO PROMOTE CAREERS IN BUILDING OPERATIONS, ENGINEERING, AND MAINTENANCE. WE CONNECT JOB SEEKERS, TRAINING CENTERS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS, AND EMPLOYERS ALL TO HELP COMPANIES RECRUIT, DEVELOP, TRAIN, AND RETAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF SKILLED TRADESPEOPLE IN THE METRO DC REGION. OUR WORK PROVIDES LONG-TERM, TANGIBLE ECONOMIC BENEFITS AND A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY TO STABLE, LUCRATIVE CAREERS. FOR YEARS, COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MANAGERS HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED TO RECRUIT, HIRE, AND RETAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF BUILDING OPERATIONS EMPLOYEES. IN RESPONSE TO THIS PRESSING NEED, THE AEF WAS FORMED AS A VEHICLE TO CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE, REGIONAL SOLUTION TO WHAT MANY REFER TO AS THE ENGINEERING TALENT CRISIS. ALTHOUGH OUR PRIMARY MISSION IS FOCUSED ON COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE CAREERS, WE ARE ALSO TAK